For more than 10,000 years, humans have harnessed the fermentative power of yeast to create beer, wine, cheese and bread. But yeasts are also critical to the process of generating other important products, including medicines such as penicillin and biofuels such as ethanol.

A building intended to serve as a symbol of freedom and democracy marks its centennial in 2017. But before the Wisconsin State Capitol building rose in the center of Madison, two earlier state houses stood in its place.